Zirconia implants restored with single crowns or fixed dental prostheses: 5-year results of a prospective cohort investigation

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of one-piece zirconia implants restored with single crowns (SCs) or fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) over an observation period of 5 years in function.

Materials and methods: In a prospective cohort investigation with two investigational centers, one-piece zirconia implants were placed in anterior and posterior sites. After a healing period of at least 2 months in the mandible and 4 months in the maxilla with immediate provisional reconstructions, the final all-ceramic SCs or three-unit FDPs were cemented. Patients were followed for 5 years. Clinical parameters and radiological measurements of the implants and the neighboring teeth were assessed. For the statistical analysis, linear mixed models were applied.

Results: A total of 71 implants were placed in 60 patients. Sixty-three implants in 53 patients could be evaluated at the 5-year follow-up. Six patients with a total of seven implants were counted as dropouts. One implant did not achieve adequate osseointegration and had to be removed 5 weeks after implantation. The 5-year survival rate was calculated as 98.4% (95% CI 91.6, 99.9). The mean overall marginal bone loss from implant placement to the 5-year follow-up was 0.7 ± 0.6 mm. After an initial mean marginal loss before loading the implants (0.7 mm), no further statistically significant change in marginal bone level (p = .458) could be observed.

Conclusion: The investigated one-piece zirconia implant showed a high survival rate, very stable marginal bone, and mucosal margin levels after 5 years in function. Therefore, it can be considered safe and reliable for the reconstruction of implant-supported SCs or FDPs over a mid-term period.

Keywords: bone; ceramic; clinical; dental implants; human; osseointegration; zirconia.